China interferes in Nepal to save Communist Party government

Meanwhile, Nepal last week held a video call with Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China and discussed various issues, including the current status of coronavirus in the country.

NEW DELHI: China is making hectic efforts to protect Nepal Communist Party (NCP)-led government in Kathmandu amid rifts within top leadership of the ruling dispensation

Amid heightened intra-party row within the NCP, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi has intensified her political meetings with ruling class.

On Friday morning, Ambassador Yanqi held an-hour-long talks with NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal or Prachanda. During the meeting held at Dahal’s residence in Kathmandu, the duo are learned to have discussed Nepal’s current political developments, particularly the rift within NCP.

China has been particularly concerned over the latest political developments of Nepal, informed sources told ET.

The meeting with Dahal has been crucial at a time when Dahal and NCP senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal are determined on ousting Prime Minister KP Oli amid intra-party row, especially after PM Oli brought two ordinances last week in an effort to secure his position as the PM.

Both Dahal and Nepal are adamant that Oli should step down despite the fact that Oli proposed party Vice President Bam Dev Gautam as the new PM during the party’s Secretariat meeting held last Wednesday, sources informed.

Yanqi also met Nepal and discussed political developments, including the rift between two factions within the NCP.

Yanqi also held around two-hour-long talks with Oli at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar and discussed in length the latest developments seen in the ruling party.

This is the second meeting between Oli and Yanqi in one week.

Earlier on Monday Yanqi met with Nepal’s President Bidya Bhandari and discussed the political developments.

In fact, the meeting was held soon after President Xi Jinping held a conversation with Bhandari and expressed China’s firm support to Nepal in its fight against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Nepal last week held a video call with Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China and discussed various issues, including the current status of coronavirus in the country.